Ephs Finish Strong at Individuals

Six members of the men’s and women’s squash teams made it down to Annapolis this weekend to compete in the CSA national individuals tournament. Jon Barry was the sole Williams representative in the Potter cup (top thirty two collegiate squash players), Toby and Ashley Eyre were in the Ramsay Division (the top women’s draw), Ethan Buchsbaum and Will Gruner played in the Malloy Draw, and Catie Warner played in the Holleran cup.

Toby Erye had a successful weekend, earning first team All-American honors by reaching the quarterfinals of the Ramsay cup draw. Toby beat Trinity number two Ashley Clackson in four on the 4-walled glass court to ensure her spot among the top eight. Toby was a good sport: “Losing in five in the quarters to [Trinity #1 Lauren Polonich] was disappointing, but I’m happy with how I’ve played this season, and am looking forward to individuals on my home turf next year.”

As the number 31 seed in a draw of the top 32 individual collegiate squash players, Jon Barry had his work cut out for him. Losing in three to the number one seed (and eventual winner) Basset Chaundry, Jon dropped into the consolation round where he upset Rochester number three Will Newnham to guarantee his place among the top twenty-four. Jon then lost to fellow American John Fulham of Yale to end his collegiate career.

Ashley Eyre lost a tough five-gamer to Trinity’s Tehani Guruge in the first round after storming back from a 0-2 deficit in remarkably decisive third and fourth games. Ashley couldn’t keep up the pressure though, and lost the fifth. Ashley then made it through the first round of the consolation due to a bye from Princeton’s Amanda Sieburt. Ashley then lost to former teammate Casey Riley of Princeton in five. Ashley finished off a solid college career ranked in the top twenty-four.

Ethan Buchsbaum represented Williams well in the B draw, the only Eph to play the full possible six matches. Ethan won his first match against a tenacious Steven Preefer of Dartmouth. Friday night Ethan upset Navy number three (who beat Ethan during the regular season) in an incredibly exciting five-game match. Ethan advanced to the round of sixteen, which guaranteed him a better finish than his seeding of 18. Ethan then lost to number four seed Francis Johnson of Yale in a hard-fought four gamer. Ethan went to the plate draw of the Malloy cup where he faced off against Ryan Forester of Western Ontario. Forester was hot off an incredible upset over number six seed Ted Newhouse of Dartmouth and played remarkable squash, but Ethan stuck to his guns and out-played forester in fundamental squash. Ethan then steamrolled Yale Captain Moshe Sarfaty to earn himself a place in the plate round final against Bates number three Kush. After so many tight matches, Ethan was too worn down to battle Kush and lost in four.

Rookie Will Gruner had a solid run in the B draw. Losing his first match on Friday in a close five-gamer to Harvard Frank Cohen, the first five-gamer Gruner lost all season. He had a bye in the first round of the consolation, and then Saturday morning beat Bowdoin’s number one Jake Sack in four. Gruner then beat Cornell freshman Mckay Claghorn in four after dropping the first game 9-2. In the semi-finals of the consolation, Gruner played USC number one John Rothie, who he beat in a tough five gamer to guarantee a place in the finals against Navy’s Alan Lutz. Gruner had played 18 games in the past 60 hours to Lutz’s 12. Lutz played very solid squash, taking a tightly contested first game. Gruner came back in a dominant performance in the second, and then squeaked by 10-8 in the third, but in the fourth the additional six games he had played started taking their toll.

Catie Warner had a very solid performance in the Women’s B draw, reaching the quarterfinals and earning herself a place among the top forty collegiate squash players. Catie enjoyed a bye in the first round and then played Ryan McManus from Connecticut College; beating her in three. Catie then had a great win over Mt. Holyoke’s Menusha Heitarrachi, winning in the fifth a spot in the quarterfinals of the main draw. Catie then faced off against Caroline Reigeluth, and lost in a 5 game battle, displaying a lot of heart, and finishing her college career with an impressive finish.

Overall the Ephs had a strong showing at Individuals, and are looking forward to some well deserved rest after a long 2007-2008 season.